The Conversation: Native Voices on Mauna Kea

This morning Hawaii talks about Mauna Kea which has become a flashpoint in communities across the state. It has sparked conversation across the country as high profile entertainers and musicians use their celebrity to draw attention to the drama on the mountain. Joining us by phone today for our call-in show are:

Jon Osorio: Dean of Hawaiʻi nui ākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge. He grew up in Hilo with no escaping the presence of the mountain. He was there at the start of the TMT showdown.

John De Fries: Born and raised in Waikiki, and has lived in Kona for the last 30 years De Fries is president of Native Sun Business Group Inc; a business consulting and project management firm. He does NOT represent any of the Maunakea Observatories or the University of Hawaii and offers a different view of what’s possible .

And joining us in studio:

Kealoha Fox is the new Native Hawaiian Cultural Liaison at AlohaCare, a non-profit health plan in Hawai‘i. She oversees organizational initiatives serving Native Hawaiians across all islands. In 2018, the World Health Summit recognized her as 1 of 10 New Voices in Global Health. She is here to talk about the process of healing - of Ho’o- pono-pono.